Calif embracing state subsidized Amtrak routes

Amtrak California, the state partnership with the national passenger rail corporation, carried about 5.1 million of the 27.1 million passengers who took Amtrak trains nationwide in 2009. California spends about $90 million a year on operating subsidies.

California's main Amtrak intercity routes are the Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports Wednesday that those three lines rank among the nation's five busiest passenger rail corridors.

And ridership is growing.

In November, the Capitol Corridor saw a 10.6 percent increase in ridership over the previous year while the Pacific Surfliner drew 4.2 percent more passengers and the San Joaquin carried 2.3 percent more riders.